NHL expansion into Seattle is gaining steam as behind-the-scenes negotiations are being held between the league and potential ownership groups, according to the Seattle Times.

Talks between the league and local officials went far enough that an announcement could be made within weeks following the conclusion of the Sochi Winter Olympics.

That would mean the league would need to make the announcement by the summer at the latest to help the franchise prepare a temporary arena ahead of play and give the ownership group enough time to market the new franchise locally.

An expansion franchise, to begin play in the 2015-16 season, would be expected to pay a fee of between $200-250 million to join the league.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told the Times during Super Bowl week that the league had no current plans for expansion, but said they have done the best they can to stabilize financially-troubled franchises, so the logical next step would be to grow the game.

If expansion is in the NHL’s cards, the league is likely to include a second team to balance the divisions and match the NFL’s 32 teams. Other potential expansion candidates include Quebec City, Kansas City, Portland, Toronto suburb of Markham, Saskatoon and Las Vegas.

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Seattle groups eye NHL expansion franchise

NHL expansion into Seattle is gaining steam as behind-the-scenes negotiations are being held between the league and potential ownership groups, according to the Seattle Times.

Talks between the league and local officials went far enough that an announcement could be made within weeks following the conclusion of the Sochi Winter Olympics.

That would mean the league would need to make the announcement by the summer at the latest to help the franchise prepare a temporary arena ahead of play and give the ownership group enough time to market the new franchise locally.

An expansion franchise, to begin play in the 2015-16 season, would be expected to pay a fee of between $200-250 million to join the league.